City of Wolverhampton Education Providers' Bulletin: 17 May 2022

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Education Providers' Bulletin 

Tuesday 17 May 2022

City of Wolverhampton
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Bulletin Summary


  1. Message from Phil Leivers - Head of Service Educational Excellence
  2. Early Years 
  3. Finance 
  4. Good News
  5. Information
  6. Levelling Up and related payments
  7. Training and Consultation
  8. Ofsted research series - Computing
  9. DfE Update

Message from Phil Leivers - Head of Service Educational Excellence


Dear Colleagues,

Hope everyone is well?

Primary colleagues will be relieved that SATs are finished, whilst GCSE’s are now in full swing in secondaries. Dare I risk saying that it feels like schools are back to feeling normal?

A reminder that we have a virtual Director’s Briefing Thursday 26 May 8.00am where we will be able to hear the outcomes of the recent Children’s services Ofsted inspection. Also we will discuss the White Paper and the Education Bill.

Within Education Excellence this week we are excited to be interviewing for two posts, the Education Safeguarding Officer and a school improvement adviser for SEND. Hopefully I will be able to share good news with you next week.

Best wishes,

Phil

Phil Leivers
Head of Service Educational Excellence
phil.leivers@wolverhampton.gov.uk


Early Years


Progress Check at Age Two

The Department for Education (DfE) has published new early years foundation stage (EYFS) guidance to provide support for early years practitioners when completing the progress check at age two.

This non-statutory guidance will help all early years practitioners working with children between the ages of two and three to make an accurate assessment of a child’s development and work closely with parents and other professionals to put in place appropriate support and intervention where it is needed.

The guidance informs, supports and offers suggestions that can help practitioners review children’s development across the three prime areas of learning. It does not replace the professional judgement of practitioners but aims to support it. The guidance is clear that you do not need to spend a long time away from the children to complete the progress check or carry out excessive tracking or evidence collection.

The DfE have also published a vodcast to explain the new guidance and a blog that highlights why the progress check is important.  


National smile month

National Smile Month

Taking place between 16 May - 16 June 2022, National Smile Month is about championing the benefits of good oral health and promoting the value of a healthy smile.

Public Health are working with RWT to raise awareness of positive Oral Health across the city, targeting areas where high levels of tooth decay have been identified within early years children, delivering activities such as parental and children workshops in nurseries and early years settings, training early years professionals to cascade the message to children and parents as well as the circulation of dental packs for 12 months and 3 years and encouraging children to swap a bottle for a cup in targeted localities.

Recently RWT spent some time at Bushbury Nursery School in the mobile dental unit to speak with children and their parents, offering opportunities to receive a dental check in a familiar setting https://youtu.be/_XotaUBMisM  

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Ryan Hollings
Health Improvement Officer - Public Health
Ryan.Hollings@wolverhampton.gov.uk


Childcare Sufficiency Survey for all Schools

Date Extension Friday 27 May

Each local authority is required by law to report on childcare provided across the city to ensure there is sufficient childcare and that families are able to find childcare that meets their needs. 

To enable us to collate up to date information we require you to complete following survey please, it should only take you 5 minutes. 

The survey has been updated and issues reported have been fixed. 

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Claire Hardiman Early Years and Childcare Development Officer Claire.Hardiman@wolverhampton.gov.uk


Early Years Foundation Stage Profile Myth Busting

Early Years Foundation Stage Profile myth busting | From pregnancy to children aged 5 (foundationyears.org.uk)  

As the 2022 Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) assessment period approaches the Department for Education (DfE) want to provide teachers and school and Multi Academy Trust (MAT) leaders with important information and useful links on completing the EYFSP this year. This includes:

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Stacey Henderson
Senior Early Years Advisor
Stacey.Henderson@wolverhampton.gov.uk


Education Inspection Framework (EIF) curriculum roadshows for Early Years settings - West Midlands

Ofsted is running a series of Education Inspection Framework (EIF) curriculum roadshows for Early Years settings. These events will be held regionally across the country, between June and July this year. We intend to run a specific roadshow for maintained nurseries later in the year.             

These half-day events will offer the opportunity to learn more about how we look at language and communication at inspection and what we have learnt about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two representatives from your setting are welcome to attend. Each person attending will need to register separately.

Current Ofsted Inspectors (OIs) are asked not to attend this event, as specific training is provided for inspectors separately.

Please note that there is no charge for attending one of these events and spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

If you are interested in attending one of these events in your region, please find below details of the date, session times and links for registration.

Wednesday 29 June Birmingham 9.30-12.30

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/339025613737 

Wednesday 29 June Birmingham 14.00-17.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/339047418957

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Stacey Henderson
Senior Early Years Advisor
Stacey.Henderson@wolverhampton.gov.uk


Early Years Funding Return Spring 2022

Please find attached letter and latest SIMS report template regarding the Early Years Funding Return for Summer 2022.  This letter also includes information on claiming for Extended Funded Hours.

Deadline for the return is Friday 25 May 2022.

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Jo Woodcock
School MIS Support Manager
Jo.Woodcock@wolverhampton.gov.uk
07971 327566


Good News


Joe Wicks visits local Primary School

On Wednesday 4 May, Joe Wicks visited Rakegate Primary and led workouts with all the children. Rakegate won a competition through Children in Need and were one of seven schools across the country to be visited by Joe and Pudsey Bear!
He completed a Q&A session with year 6 where they discussed the importance of a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally. Joe also talked about the positives and negatives of social media.

Rakegate Primary - Joe Wicks Visit

Tettenhall Wood School

Tettenhall Wood School Achieve Autism Accreditation at Advanced status

We are thrilled  to be able to share our wonderful news that Tettenhall Wood School have gained the Autism Accreditation at Advanced status by the National Autistic Society, the UK’s leading charity for autistic people. This makes us on of 34 schools in the country to  hold this prestigious accreditation. The Accredited Advanced Award was given in recognition of our high-quality autism practice providing a consistently high standard of autism practice across four main areas which are communication, sensory needs, independence and emotional regulation. Click here to read more. 

Click here to view Tettenhall Wood's accredited letter and here to view NAS accredited report. 

Lead person to contact:

Sarah Whittington 
Executive Head Teacher of SEND in partnership with the Amethyst Trust 
Sarah.Whittington@tettenhallwoodschool.org.uk


Finance


Schools Financial Value Standard (SFVS) 2021-2022

Thank you to all schools for returning your completed SFVS forms.

We will be reporting a 100% completion rate to the Department for Education (DfE).

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Mary Costello
Audit Business Partner
mary.costello@wolverhampton.gov.uk


Consistent Financial Reporting 2021-22

The final school balances for 2021-22 have now been published on CloudW. The can be found at the following location. School Business Services>Financial Services for Schools>CFR>2021-22.

A letter with details of the CFR process and the relevant dates is also available at the same location.

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Andrew McCloskey
Finance Officer
Andrew.mccloskey@wolverhampton.gov.uk, 01902 554158


Information


Heading abroad this summer? Check COVID guidance before travelling

Information for sharing with your school community:

Parents and guardians who are planning to travel abroad in the coming months are being reminded to check the latest Covid-19 guidance for the country they will be visiting.

Many countries still require international visitors to either be fully vaccinated, to quarantine or present a negative Covid-19 test result upon entry. For many countries, this also applies to children aged 12 – 17. 

You are therefore urged to check the latest foreign travel advice, available at GOV.UK

To book an appointment you can do so at one of a number of GP surgeries in Wolverhampton online via www.nhs.uk/covidvaccine, or by calling 119.

For walk in facilities and our location map please see below:

NHS Covid Walk - in facilities

Click here to access a map of all the different sites. 

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Charlotte Rose
COVID 19 Lead
Charlotte.rose@wolverhampton.gov.uk


IMPORTANT NEWS FOR SENCOs

New SEND and Inclusion Officers to support SENCOs

We’d like to introduce ourselves, Anna and Jess, as the new SEND and Inclusion Officers for The City of Wolverhampton.  Our role is to offer immediate support to you as the SENCO. We would like to be the first point of call for any advice and guidance you require. For further information on our role please see the attached document.

For any enquiries, please email sendinclusionofficers@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Anna Loveland & Jess Collings
SEND and Inclusion Officer
sendinclusionofficers@wolverhampton.gov.uk
01902 555934


Children’s society information

Last year, a new law was passed to cut the cost of school uniforms in England. By September, schools should have started making necessary changes to ensure uniforms are a fair price for families.

What does this mean for you and your school?

Join a webinar hosted by The Children’s Society on Wednesday 18 May at 4:30pm, to hear from an expert panel and get the chance to ask questions. This event is open to teachers, governors, PTA members, councillors and any interested member of the school community!

Speakers include: 

  • Mike Amesbury MP, whose private member’s bill to make uniforms affordable became law.
  • Alison Hardacre and Alice Douglas from the Department for Education.
  • A headteacher who has championed cost-effective uniforms at their school.
  • Charities The Children’s Society, the Child Poverty Action Group and Children North East.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions of the panel.

Sign up for the webinar

What can my school do?

The DfE guidance means that every school should take the opportunity to review and refresh uniform policies. The guidance includes: consulting with pupils and parents; removing unnecessary branded items; setting up pre-loved uniform provision; and more. Where possible, changes should start being made ahead of the September school year

We’ve created resources full of practical tips and advice: Download the resources

Lead person to contact:

Freya Trevor-Harris
The Children’s Society Campaigns Officer
Freya.trevorharris@childrenssociety.org.uk


Conflict in Ukraine: Advice for Parents

As part of our support to schools and families in relation to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine the Educational Psychology Service has produced a video for parents offering advice about how to talk to children and young people about the conflict and signposting to other sources of support and advice. This video is available on our service website here Video 014 - Promoting Inclusion from the Early Years | Our Videos | Educational Psychology Wolverhampton Please share with the families you work with.

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Ruth Hewett
Senior Educational Psychologist
07971 991753 Ruth.hewett@wolverhampton.gov.uk


Young Citizen Awards 2022

Nominations Now Open for Wolverhampton Young Citizen Awards 2022. 

Do you know someone who has gone the extra mile - whose personal courage, care for others, achievement or contribution to the community should be recognised and celebrated? If so, why not nominate them for a Wolverhampton Young Citizen of the Year Award?

​​​​​​​The Express and Star has been joined by the Wolverhampton City Council and Wolverhampton Wanderers Foundation in support of the Wolverhampton Young Citizen Rotary Awards 2022. Link to website can be found here


Levelling Up and related payments


The government has released information regarding additional payments for teachers as part of the levelling up agenda.

More information can be found:

Teacher bonuses - Teacher bonuses and funding for schools to level up education - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Linda Brown
School Improvement Senior Advisor
07812 494965
Linda.brown@wolverhampton.gov.uk


Training and Consultation


Co-production Workshop

#YES Co-Production Workshops

The council’s Co-Production and Youth Engagement Team are holding two workshops in June so schools, youth groups and organisations can learn more about co-production and how they can achieve Co-Production Charter status.

To learn more and to register, visit https://orlo.uk/KF0BI (6 June) or https://orlo.uk/O9m9z (7 June)

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Joe Perry
Communications Officer
#yes@wolverhampton.gov.uk


Get Set for Commonwealth Games in Wolverhampton at the first round of engagement sessions

Residents and businesses in Wolverhampton are encouraged to attend engagement sessions to find out more about the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games event happening in the city.

On Thursday 4 August 2022, the City of Wolverhampton will proudly host the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Cycling Time Trial with the race starting and finishing at our spectacular West Park.

Get set wolverhampton

With not long to go until the start of the games, residents and local businesses are encouraged to attend the drop-in sessions to find out how they will be directly affected.

At the sessions, which will led by Commonwealth Games representatives, you will find out more information on a number of topics including:

  • The full route and road closures on race day
  • Where you can watch the action from for free
  • City centre activities

The drop-in sessions will take place on:

  • Wednesday 18 May, 2pm – 4pm for businesses at Wolverhampton Art Gallery (Georgian Room), Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DU
  • Wednesday 18 May, 4pm – 7pm for residents at Wolverhampton Art Gallery (Georgian Room), Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1DU

More information about the event, including road closures, and resident parking can be found here: https://www.birmingham2022.com/getset/wolverhampton

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Baljit Hague
Events and Marketing Officer
Baljit.Hague@wolverhampton.gov.uk


Event celebrating HeadStart Wolverhampton’s journey taking place in June

Headtstart

An exciting event celebrating the journey of the HeadStart Wolverhampton programme will take place in June. ‘HeadStart Wolverhampton – Our Journey’ will take place at 9am on 22 June 2022 at Wolverhampton Racecourse, Dunstall Park.

​​​​​​​If you wish to celebrate the achievements of HeadStart Wolverhampton and find out how its legacy will continue to help improve the emotional wellbeing and resilience of 10-16 year olds in Wolverhampton, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/headstart-wolverhampton-our-journey-tickets-300763550877

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Joe Perry
Communications Officer
#yes@wolverhampton.gov.uk


Upcoming Statutory Assessment training dates

1.  Meet the moderator key stage 2 - 24 May 2022; 3:45 – 4:45pm
N.B. This is only appropriate for schools who have been notified of an external moderation visit. Participants will need to have with them a list of dates, throughout June,  that would not be convenient for a moderation visit e.g. if a school trip or a visitor is booked into school

2.  Meet the moderator key stage 1-26 May 2022; 3:45 – 4:45pm
N.B. This is only appropriate for schools who have been notified of an external moderation visit. Participants will need to have with them a list of dates, throughout June,  that would not be convenient for a moderation visit e.g. if a school trip or a visitor is booked into school

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Jo Horlock
NQT and Assessment Advisor
Jo.Horlock@wolverhampton.gov.uk


New STEM Response Team Workshop from Wolverhampton University

‘Home is where the Habitat is’ (free to local schools)

“Home is Where the Habitat is” is a free maximum 2-hour workshop for Year 4 or 5 students in local primary schools run by the STEM response team at Wolverhampton University.

This workshop runs for a maximum of two hours and will look at one of the major topics in the space sector: life on other planets. “Home is Where the Habitat is” looks at the importance of biology, chemistry, physics, and design in space.

The workshop is free, curriculum linked, and accompanied by a 90-minute teacher CPD session at the end of the school day, which aims to increase the confidence of staff in delivering engaging and practical science lessons, and demonstrations to their classes.

These workshops will be available throughout the Autumn/Winter term of the 2022/23 academic year.

One of the stipulations of the funding for this workshop, is that the STEM response team will be monitoring the effect this workshop has had on staff and student confidence levels for a year after the workshop and so schools need to be aware that there will be follow up monitoring after the workshop has been delivered.

Further details are available here.

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Louise Mututa
School Improvement Advisor
Louise.Mututa@wolverhampton.gov.uk


Second round of the Science Ninja’s scheme

Information session Thursday 26 May 3:45-4:45pm via teams

Following the success of the first round of the Black country Science Ninja scheme, we are delighted to announce an opportunity for schools to join in with the second round of the scheme.

The Science Ninja’s scheme is written by CLEAPSS and is a focused approach to developing enquiry skills within Primary schools. It promotes explicit teaching of practical skills in order to demystify ‘Working Scientifically’.

Please find further information about the science Ninja scheme and a link to join us for an information session on Thursday 26 May 3:45-4:45pm here.

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Louise Mututa
School Improvement Advisor
Louise.Mututa@wolverhampton.gov.uk


STEM (Science and D&T) Network meeting

14 June 2022 1-3:30pm

The next STEM network meetings for both Science and D&T subject leaders is on Tuesday 14 of June from 1pm-3:30pm and I am delighted to announce that we will be holding this network meeting face to face at the GTG Training Centre.

Just in case anyone has forgotten where the GTG is, the address is: GTG Training & Conference Centre, Bearing Drive, Wolverhampton, WV11 3SZ

The agenda for the network meeting and list of items to bring with you to this event is attached here.

Please book on through WVES and have the equipment requested available to enable you to take a full and active part in the session.

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Louise Mututa
School Improvement Advisor
Louise.Mututa@wolverhampton.gov.uk


Education Excellence Spring Training

Click here to access the Education Excellence team Spring term training brochure. 


Upcoming City of Wolverhampton Governor Training

We offer a wide range of training designed specifically for governors, along with delivering bespoke training on many topics. Please share the training opportunities we offer with your Governing Body.

Click here for Governance Training for the Spring and Summer Terms 2022.

Or log onto GovernorHub to be able to book places direct!

Bespoke Governing Board Training can be designed to meet the needs of your Governing Board. If you would like to have a topic delivered at your school or across a cluster of schools, please let us know.   As with all LA training, this is free to maintained schools and part of the SLA package for Academies and delivered at a time suitable to you.  Please contact kay.mason@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Sarah McElduff
School Governance Co-ordinator
sarah.mcelduff@wolverhampton.gov.uk


Ofsted research series - Computing


Ofsted have released a review of research into factors that influence the quality of computing education in schools in England.

More information can be found at

Research review series: computing - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Lead person to contact in the LA:

Linda Brown
School Improvement Senior Advisor
07812 494965
Linda.brown@wolverhampton.gov.uk


DfE Update


17 May – Update to all education and childcare settings and providers



If you don't have a CloudW account and cannot access a document within this bulletin, please contact Georgia.Smith@wolverhampton.gov.uk who will send it to you.